Packer Draft Day Thoughts » Brats & Beer

With the first day of the draft complete, the Packers have three new faces for the roster: WR Jordy Nelson (36), QB Brian Brohm (56), and CB Patrick Lee (60). Overall I’d say it was a solid effort by Ted Thompson and his staff, even if he did get booed again at the Lambeau Field draft party. (What did you expect?)

Nelson looks like a prototypical TT zig when everyone thought he’d zag. The receiving corps doesn’t appear to be a big need area, but this was clearly a pick for depth and for the future. Neither Ruvell Martin nor Koren Robinson are the long-term answer, and from the few clips I’ve seen Nelson might be able to challenge them this year for a spot on the roster. He wasn’t a big name in the pre-draft coverage, but Washington, Philly, and Cincinnati were among the teams showing interest and they all took receivers after Green Bay. Chances are he might not have been around at the #56 pick.

Brian Brohm was one of the top five quarterback prospects coming into the day, and he turned out to be the third QB chosen. He has a lot of upside attributes and the NFL.com analysis compares him to Drew Brees. Brohm does have some injury problems, though, which worries me if he’s going to be the backup to Aaron Rodgers. He’s also got some problems with his mechanics, it sounds like, so Mike McCarthy will have a lot of work to do in his QB school this year. Still, I’m happy with the pick. (Happier still that TT didn’t pick Henne.)

Picking Patrick Lee filled the need for more young talent in the secondary. What little I’ve heard and read about him, Lee is an aggressive player and could fit in well to the pressure man coverage Green Bay defensive coordinator Bob Sanders likes to employ. Some interesting comments from NFL.com:

  • Best asset is his straight-line speed, which gets him downfield in a hurry as a gunner on special teams to break up the wedge. (OK)
  • Tries to compensate for his poor mirror ability by grabbing at his opponent, which leads to a rash of pass interference calls. (Oh, no)
  • He is certainly not a playmaker … is fooled more on the field than a child at his first magician’s show (Harsh!)

Obviously Lee won’t be jumping right into the starting lineup right away, but SI.com says he could be good in dime coverage, and with some work who knows.

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